Various optical and optronic devices provide the entire crew with a 360-deg. field of view and identification of targets by day and night and under all weather conditions, with optronic images displayed on various monitors in the vehicle.

Before Puma deliveries to the German army start next year, ergonomics, electromagnetic tolerance, electrical safety, survivability and protection testing will take place, as well as estimates of how easily the vehicle can be serviced. Hot-weather trials are planned at an unspecified location this summer and personnel from the Munster armor school will also conduct deployability testing.

PSM foresees room for growth for the Puma program due to the contiguous crew compartment and weight range, with the possibility of a large number of variants. An international marketing campaign is underway to sell additional Pumas to make up for the 60 cut from the original BWB order, and to sell more to NATO and associated countries.

Nicholas Fiorenza, Brussels